The governor of Gabon's Estuaire province, Marie Françoise Dikoumba, inaugurated a two-day capacity-building seminar for local council members in Libreville on November 5, 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Interior, Security, and Decentralization, the seminar aims to equip local authorities with skills to tackle decentralization and local governance challenges. The event, themed "Gabonese Local Authorities Facing Decentralization Challenges in the 5th Republic Era," brings together members of municipal and departmental councils from the Estuaire province.
The seminar focuses on enhancing participants' mastery of legal texts, public policy management, administrative and financial management, and local development project leadership. Governor Dikoumba emphasized the importance of these sessions in improving public service delivery, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability to citizens. She encouraged participants to engage actively in the workshops to drive transformative actions in their respective jurisdictions.
The initiative aligns with the government's priorities, as outlined in its roadmap, to modernize territorial management and promote effective, proximity governance. The seminar's objectives include strengthening local authorities' competencies in strategic management, financial planning, and operational monitoring. By doing so, the government aims to enhance local governance and decentralization efforts in Gabon.
During the two-day event, participants will explore mechanisms related to financial management, budget planning, and operational monitoring of their jurisdictions. Governor Dikoumba urged them to invest fully in the workshops, stressing the need for bold, ambitious, and accelerated actions to drive positive change in their localities.
The Ministry of Interior, Security, and Decentralization organized the seminar to support the implementation of decentralization policies and promote good governance practices. By enhancing local authorities' capacities, the government seeks to improve public service delivery and foster citizen engagement in local decision-making processes.
The Estuaire province's local authorities will benefit from expert insights and knowledge sharing during the seminar. The event provides a platform for council members to exchange experiences, best practices, and challenges, ultimately contributing to more effective local governance in Gabon.
The capacity-building seminar is a significant step towards achieving the government's decentralization goals and promoting local development in Gabon. By empowering local authorities with the necessary skills and knowledge, the government aims to create a more efficient and responsive governance system that meets the needs of its citizens.
Key points
- The seminar aims to strengthen local authorities' competencies in strategic management, financial planning, and operational monitoring.
- The initiative aligns with the government's priorities to modernize territorial management and promote effective, proximity governance.
- The event brings together members of municipal and departmental councils from the Estuaire province to enhance local governance and decentralization efforts.
